Nigeria To Receive 15 million Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccine In February – FG

The federal government on Monday disclosed that it was expecting 15 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in February.

Osagie Ehanire, minister of health,  made the disclosure during the media briefing of the presidential task force (PTF) on COVID-19 in Abuja, on Monday.

Ehanire, who had earlier assured that the first batch of COVID-19 vaccine doses would arrive in January, noted that the change in date was caused by the vaccine manufacturer.

He said the African Union alloted over 41 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Nigeria, and of the total, 15 million doses facilitated through COVAX will arrive in February.

He stated that the country will continue to review and tweak its plans and preparation in advance of the vaccine delivery and also to ensure seamless rollout of the vaccine in Nigeria.

“The date of first arrival of vaccines in Nigeria has kept changing because the decision lies with the manufacturer, who already has heavy commitments. According to latest information I have, we have been advised to expect the first COVID-19 vaccines from COVAX to arrive Nigeria as from February,” he said.

“We shall continue to review plans to ensure smooth rollout in our country — a huge task in the hands of NPHCDA, which is better placed than any organisation, with the requisite institutional memory from polio eradication and routine immunisation, to deliver the vaccine to all areas of Nigeria”

Ehanire said the country should be able to meet at least 50% of its vaccination target if all promises  made to its regarding vaccine delivery are met.

“Nigeria has been allocated over 41 million doses by the AU’s African Vaccines Acquisition Task Team (AVATT), and we can expect 15 of about 42 million doses from COVAX. Altogether, it will give us coverage for over 50 percent of our target for 2021, if we can access all doses promised.”

Ehanire said Nigeria recorded 43,732 new cases in January, representing nearly one-third of the total infections confirmed since February 2020.

He called for equity in the allocation of vaccines globally, adding that COVID-19 is a threat to all countries.

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